Container



Nov. 2, 1937. GQE. ANDERSEN 2,097,682

cormmm Filed Sept. 7, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Pie I. v Fits. 2. 1.9 '19 1.9 1.9 17 7 35 as 2e #28 a r 12 n so .ze I 1 10 MTNEJJEJ Q INVENTORY Mm wa, z41 rr -w ATTORNEY.

Nov. 2, 1937.

s. 'E. ANDERSEN 2,097,682

CONTAINER Filed Sept. 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 Fie. 6. f .20 1.3- 27 -J 'fl- E 23 4 7 22. W/Tf/[JJEJ INVENTOR.

c. I ATTORNEYJ.

Patented Nov. 2, 1937 uurrssrA'res PATENT, OFFICE 2,097,682 CONTAINER Gustav E. Andersen, Stavanger, Norway Application September 7, 1935, Serial No. 39,649 In Norway April 18, 1931 12 Claims. (Cl. 229-29) This invention relates to containers and is more folded, as hereafter more fully described, into a particularly concerned with one-piece folded rugged light-weight cardboard container withcardboard containers for eggs and the like. out'the use of adhesive or other fastening means. Prior to my invention some attempts have been Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a made to provide satisfactory containers for eggs planview of a flat stamped-out blank of card- 5 and the like from cardboard stamped in a single board from which the container is made in one piece. However, these structures have not form of the invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to proven entirely satisfactory in that they require Fig. l but illustrates the first stepsin folding the intricate time-consuming folding and nesting opblank to container form; Fig. 3 is a view similar erations for assembly of the container from the to Figs. 1 and 2 but illustrates the further foldflat stamped stock. Moreover, it has usually tug of the 'blank to container form; Fig. 4 is a been necessary heretofore to employ paste or glue perspective view of the container with the lid' to hold certain of the container parts together open; Fig.5 is a plan view similar to Fig. l of a and this adds to the expense and labor involved modification of the invention; Fig. 6 is a plan in making the container. It has also been my view similar to Figs. 1 and 5 of a further modiexperience that containers of known types were flcation of the invention.

. apt to be relatively weak and'that they did not While the principles of my invention are apserve to properly and adequately support eggs plicable to the manufacture of containers adaptor the like therein. Still another difficulty ated to hold various articles, particularly fragile tending former practices has been that stamping ones, the invention is particularly adapted for the blank from a single piece has wasted more crating eggs and, accordingly, is so illustrated material than if the container were made from and described. Having reference to Fig. 1 of the a number of pieces of material. drawings, the numeral It] indicates generally a It is the object of the present invention to blank stamped from cardboard sheet, or the like,

5 avoid and overcome the foregoing and other diffiin accordance with the teachings of the invenculties and undesirable features attending the tion. This blank-forming operation is preferuse of, and common to, prior-known cardboard ably done by one or more stamps or cutters and containers by the provision of animproved cardit can be made continuous by the use of autoboard container adapted to be stamped from a matic machinery. Likewise, the invention consingle piece of cardboard substantially without templates forming the blank partly, or even en- 30 waste and in such a' shape that the container can tirely, by hand so long as the blank shape is as be rapidly folded from the stamped cardboard to described. provide a strong relatively inexpensive container. More particularly the blank Ill includes a base Another object of the invention is to provide portion ll having formed integral therewith a 3- an egg crate constructed from a single piece of back l2, afront l3 and ends l4 and IS. The back cardboard, with the crate being adapted .0 be asl2 carries an integral top [1 having an oversembled from the fiat cardboard shape by unhanging portion l8 formed with fastening tabs skilled operators in'a minimum of time and with- IS. The front [3 carries an integral transverseout the use of glue, fastening staples or the .like. partition 20 and an integral longitudinal parti- 40 The foregoing and other objects of my inven tion 22 secured to the front l3 by relative narrow 40 tion are obtained by stamping a fiat sheet of strips 23. The partitions 20 and 22 are provided cardboard to form a base having integral ends with slots 24 and 25 adapted to allow the partieach carrying integral transverse partition memtions to be interlocked with each other as will be bers. The base likewise has front and back sides understood. The front I3 is likewise provided formed integral therewith with the front side ,with slots 21 which are-adapted to receive the 45 carrying an integral transverse partition and tabs l9 formed on the overhang IQ of the lid I1 I likewise carrying an integral longtudinal partiof the container. tion. The back of the container is integral with The ends l4 and I5 of the. container are each the base and carries'the lid of the container havprovided with transversely extending partitions ing a portion adapted to fold over in fastening 28 and 29 with the partitions 28 connected to the 50 relation with suitable slots cut in the front of the ends 14 and i5 by spacer portions 30 which are container. By stamping from a single piece of substantially twice the length of the cell between cardboard a blank of the character described, the transverse partitions while the partitions 29 waste is reduced to a minimum and the blank are integrally connected to ends I4 and '5 by provided is moveover adapted to be rapidly spacer port-ions 32 which are equal to the cell dis- 55 tance between the transverse partitions. The transverse partitions'28 and 29 are each formed with centrally positioned slots 33 adapted to en gage with slots 25 provided in the longitudinal partition 22.

In the blank 10 all folds to be made in the blank have been indicated by dotted lines. In the actual stamping or forming of the blank the portions thereof to be bent are marked on the blank by any suitable means or in any known manner, as, for example, by heavi y pressing these portions of the blank with a narrow rib in the die which aids in bending the cardboard to container form. Again if the blank is printed before or after stamping lines can be printed on the blank to show where it should be bent.

In the folding of the container from the Hat blank the ends l4 and I5 are first bent up to the vertical position and the spacer portions 30 and 32 are bent at right angles to the ends l4 and I5 and the transverse partitions 28 and 29 are bent at right angles to the spacer portions 30 and 32. This brings the transverse partitions 28 and 29 to the positions illustrated in Fig. 2. Next the longitudinal partition 22 is bent upwardly to the vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2, and the transverse partition 20 is bent likewise to the vertical and is interlocked with the centrally positioned slot 25 in the longitudinal partition 22 in the posi- -tion indicated in Fig. 2.

The front l3 of the container is now bent up to the vertical, and the longitudinal partition 22 and the central transverse partition 20 are bent down so that the slots 25 of the longitudinal partition interlock with the slots 33 of the transverse partitions 28 and 29 to form the container as shown in Fig. 3. To complete the folding of the container the back I2 is bent to the vertical positionwith the top I! being folded down over the container and with the overhang l8 being bent on down to the vertical to bring the tabs I9 into alignment with the slots 21 on the front of the container. To close the container the tabs l9 are introduced into the slots 28 which thereby hold the lid I 1 of the container in place.

From the foregoing it will be recognized that the container is made from a single piece of cardboard stamped or otherwise formed integrally as a single blank. The blank is adapted to be readily folded without special apparatus or tools, and by the unskilled operator, .to: form .a rugged, yet light-weight, container adapted to package eggs or the like. No adhesive, staples, or the like, are

needed for holding the container together.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5 is quite similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and described above, with the exception that the central transverse partition 20 of the blank I0 shown in Fig. l is replaced in the blank Illa shown in Fig. 5 with a transverse partition 2011 being out directly from the front I 311 of the container. Moreover, the strips 23a connecting the longitudinal partition 22a to the front l3a are offset somewhat into the transverse partitions 290. Thus more space is provided for insertion and removal of articles into the container, as it will be evident, from Figs. 3 and 4, that the strips 23 of the blank l0 shown in Figs. 1 to 4 somewhat cut off the opening to the front end cells of the container.

Another difference in the blank Illa over the blank 10 is that one of the tabs I9a ofthe blank lfla is formed relatively wide to engage in the opening left by the transverse partition 20a when it is moved to position in the container. It is, moreover, necessary to make the overhang por' tion l8a of this blanksomewhat greater and to place the slot 21a somewhat lower on the front l3a so that the tabs |9a engage properly in the slot 21a and in the opening left by the transverse partition 20a. The blank Illa is folded up to form a container'substantially in the same manner as described above in conjunction with the folding of blank I.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 6 is quite similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 5 with the exception that the transverse partition 20b is formed to extend clear to the upper edge of the front I3b of the container. The tabs I 912 are provided on the overhanging portion I8b' of the lid I 1b so as to engage in the slot left by the transverse partition 2% and also in the slot 21b. One other difference in the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 6 is that the longitudinal partition 22b is not connected to the front l3b by strips of the type shown at 23 and 23a in the blanks I0 and Illa. The longitudinal partition 22b is cut with the blank lb and if desired can be connected to the blank lob by relatively small breakable necks 23b, or the longitudinal partition can be cut so as not to be joined to the blank |0b at all. Employing the necks 23b, however prevents the longitudinal partition22b from being lost from the main portion of the blank and more readily adapts the blank for handling and shipment prior to folding to container form. The blank lob is adapted to be folded to form the container in a manner similar to that above described in conjunction with the blank In.

It will be evident that the objects of the invention have been obtained by the provision of an improved container formed from a single integral blank of cardboard without the use of adhesive or staples. The formation of the container from the stamped blank is facile and requires no expensive or complicated machinery, nor the use of skilled operators. The resulting container is light, strong and readily adapted to package various articles, such as lamp bulbs, Christmas tree decorations, etc., but is particularly designed for crating eggs. Likewise the containers can be made up to form any desired number of cells without departing from the principle of the invention. For example, containers having compartments or cells to receive 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or any like number, of articles may readily be provided. It will further be appreciated that while cardboard has been specifically mentioned as the material from which the container is usually made, the invention contemplates making the containers from other materials such as sheet metal, fiberboard and the like.

While, in accordance with the patent statutes. several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby but is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container formed with a plurality of cells therein and comprising a base, integral front, back and ends on the base, a transverse partition connected integrally at one sided each end of the container by a spacer substantially two cells long, a transverse partition connected integrally with the other side of each end of the container by a spacer substantially one cell long, a centrally positioned transverse partition formed integrally with the front of the container, a longitudinally extending partition formed integra..y with the front of the container, and a lid formed integrally transverse partition in with the back of the container and having a front flap folding over the front of the container and formed with tabs adapted when the container is closed to be received in slots cut in the container front.

2. A container formed with a plurality of cells therein and comprising a base, integral front, back and ends on the base, a transverse partition connected integrally at one-side of each end of the container by a spacer substantially two cells long, a transverse partition connected integrally with the other side of each end of the container by a spacer substantially one cell long, a centrally positioned transverse partition formed integrally with the front of the container, a longitudinally extending partition formed integrally with the front of the container, and a lid formed integrally with the back of the contaner.

3. A container formed with a plurality of cells therein and comprising a base, integral front, back and ends on the base, a transverse partition connected integrally at one side of each end of the container by a spacer, a transverse partition connected integrally with the other side of each end of the container by a spacer, a centrally positioned transverse partition formed integrally with the front of the container, a longitudinally extending partition formed integrally with the front of the container, and a lid formed integrally with the back-of the container and having a front flap folding over the front of the container and formed with tabs adapted when the container is closed to be received in slots cut in the container front.

4. A container formed with a plurality of cells therein and comprising a base, integral front, back and ends on the base, transverse partions connected integrally with the ends of the container, a longitudinal partition connected integrally with the front of the container, and a lid formed integrally with the back of the container and extending over the entire top of the container.

5. A blank adapted to form a container with a plurality of cells therein, said blank comprising a base, integral front, back and ends on the base, a transverse partition connected integrally at one side of each end of the container blank by a spacer substantially two cells long, a transverse partition connected integrally with the other side of each end of the container blank by a spacer substantially one cell long, a centrally positioned transverse partition formed integrally with the front of the container blank, a longitudinally extending partition formed integrally with the front of the container blank, and a lid formed. integrally with the back of the container blank and having a front flap adapted to fold over the front of the container blank and formed with tabs adapted when the blank is folded to container form to be received in slots cut in the container blank front.

6. A blank adapted to form a container having a plurality of cells therein, said blank comprising a base, integral front, back and ends on the base, a partition connected integrally at one side of each end of the container blank by a spacer substantially two cells long and adapted to form a the container when folded, a partition connected integrally with the other side of each end of the container blank by a spacer substantially one cell long and adapted to form a transverse partition in the container when folded, a partition formed integrally with the front of the container blank and adapted to form .gitudinal partition in a transverse partition in the container when folded, a partition formed integrally with the front of the container blank. and adapted to form a ionthe container when folded, and a lid formed integrally with the back of the container blank.

'7. A container provided with a plurality of cells and comprising a base, integral front, back and ends on the base, a transverse partition connected integrally at one side of each end of the container by a spacer substantially two cells long, a transverse partition connected integrally' with the other side of each end of thecontainer by a spacer substantially one cell long, transverse partition formed integrally with the front of the container, a longitudinally extending partition, and a lid formed integrally with the back of the container and having a front flap folding over the front of the container and formed with tabs adapted when the container is closed to be received in slots cut in the container front.

8. A cut blank of cardboard or the like for making containers comprising a base, portions adapted to form the front, back and ends of the container integral with the .base, a portion adapted to form the lid of the container formed integral with the back portion, a plurality of portions adapted to form transverse partitions in the container and integral with the end portions, a portion adapted to form a transverse partition and formed integral with the front portion, a portion adapted to form a longitudinal partition and formed integral with the front portion, and means integral with the lid portion and adapted to be received in the front portion upon assembly of the container to fasten the lid shut.

9. A cut blank of cardboard or the like for making containers comprising a base, portions adapted to form the front, back and ends of the container integral with the base, a portion adapted to form the lid of, the container formed integral with the back portion, a plurality of portions adapted to form transverse partitions in the container formed integral with the end portions, a portion adapted to form a transverse partition and formed integral with the front portion, and a portion adapted to form a longitudinal partition and formed integral with the front portion.

10. A cut blank of cardboard or. the like for making containers comprising a base, portions adapted to form the front, back and ends of the container integral with the base, a portion adapted to form the lid of the container formed integral with the back portion, a portion adapted to form a transverse partition and formed integral with the front portion, and a portion adapted to form a longitudinal partition and formed integral with the front portion but connected thereto by relatively-narrow strips.

11. A cut blank ofcardboard or the like for making containers comprising a base, portions, adapted to form the front, back and ends of 13118155 container integral with the base, a portion adapted to form the lid of the container formed integral with the back portion, a plurality of portions adapted to form transverse partitions in the container and integral with the end portions, a portion adapted to form a transverse partition and formed integral with the front portion, and a portion adapted to form a longitudinal partition and formed integral with the front portion,

a centrally positioned certain of said partition portions being connected 75 tively narrow strips positioned vertically above the cells but at the ends thereof so as to permit direct access to the cells without removal of the partition, and a lid for the container-extending over the entire top of the container.

GUSTAV E. ANDERSEN. 

